NASA - STS-133 Mission patch.
24 February 2011
Space shuttle Discovery lifted off at 4:53 p.m. EST Thursday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with Commander Steve Lindsey leading the STS-133 crew to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module and Robonaut 2 to the space station.
STS-133 Astronauts Board Discovery
During space shuttle Discovery's final spaceflight, the STS-133 crew members will take important spare parts to the International Space Station along with the Express Logistics Carrier-4.
Space shuttle Discovery lifts off. Image
Steve Bowen replaced Tim Kopra as Mission Specialist 2 following a bicycle injury on Jan. 15 that prohibited Kopra from supporting the launch window. Bowen last flew on Atlantis in May 2010 as part of the STS-132 crew. Flying on the STS-133 mission will make Bowen the first astronaut ever to fly on consecutive missions.
STS-133 Space Shuttle Launch
Space shuttle Discovery has reached orbit and is on its way to the International Space Station. "Good to be here," Discovery Commander Steve Lindsey radioed soon after the three main engines shut off and the external fuel tank was jettisoned. The official launch time was 4:53:24 p.m. EST.
The shuttle performed flawlessly on its final journey into orbit. Tomorrow, Commander Steve Lindsey and his crewmates will spend their first full day in space inspecting the shuttle thermal coverings. They'll also prepare for docking with the International Space Station on Flight Day 3.
Images, Videos, Text, Credits: NASA / KSC.
Cheers, Orbiter.ch
